The Why And How Of Motivating Millennials At Workplace

This quote could very well be for the millennials. Often referred to as hasty, indecisive, narcissistic, egotistic - such delusions about the millennials usually lead to discrepancies in a working environment. With different generations working at various levels in a workplace, millennials often get pigeonholed due to attitudinal variations and conflicting styles. However, this dissimilarity in attitude, as well as a code of conduct compared to their predecessors, defines this new generation - the millennials.

The children of the 80s and 90s majorly constitute this millennial generation. They can be easily recognized by their behavior and their outlook towards almost everything. Smaller nuclear families, better economic standards, and globalization have contributed to the emergence of an innovative and independent thinking generation that appreciates and accepts diversity. Millennials are different because they question instead of merely accepting, and like to follow an unconventional path instead of developing a one-track mind.

Therefore, one wonders what motivates these millennials. And how? Is it their extensive use of social networking platforms, their capability to accept technological innovation, or their continuous need to stay digitally connected?

How do you motivate the generation that has it all?

Workplace Environment

The most prominent motivation is perhaps the general atmosphere at work and the nature of work - the more complex the task, the more motivated is this generation. The inborn ability of the millennials to understand and comprehend multifaceted and complex tasks, work in an easy-going environment, actively participate in team building activities and improve interpersonal relationships basis mutual respect, creates a perfect setting for them to grow and prosper.

Freedom and Empowerment

One of the most significant demotivating factors for a millennial is the lack of job satisfaction or the absence of opportunities for growth. This is why they frequently switch jobs, looking for continuous growth. However, providing them with freedom and trusting their decision-making skills in their area of responsibility, allowing them to innovate and grow, are primary motivations for this generation. This is one of the key reasons that many millennials venture out in varied fields and seek jobs in highly successful startups.

The millennials expect a free and 'fun' work environment and prefer not to be controlled. While different managers may have different leadership styles, it is best to coach them, mentor them and listen to them. The intervention of the management in all aspects of work is old-fashioned and doesn't work well with the millennials. They simply just don't accept authoritative directions; they need to know the reason behind it. However, if you guide and mentor them to what you wish to achieve, they might just surprise you with their innovation.

The Relevance of Feedback

Millennials, working in a digital and tech-savvy world, like frequent or real-time feedback and responses, to improve and improvise their skills. Deliver these continuous comments and reviews to offer a productive input and positive affirmations.

Work-Life Balance

Another big motivation for the millennials is perhaps flexibility - of ideas, perspectives, opportunities and working hours/places. Although a certain amount of control is expected in any workplace, the key is the work-life balance. With more millennials on board in organizations, flexible working hours, work from home, video conferencing and collaborations are a natural progression. Allowing them to fabricate their working hours provides a work-life balance and in turn, motivates them.

Rewards and Benefits

Millennials expect more than just the traditional rewards like financial payments or pay equity. They value non-monetary rewards such as wellness solutions, gifting options, work-life balance, etc. over cash. Creating an exclusive employee benefits solution, keeping in mind the interests of the millennials' as well as the values of the organization, can be a significant motivating factor. This generation is highly interactive digitally and regularly looks to social networking platforms for information related to both responsibilities and rewards. They also speak about it on different forums when they have positive and enjoyable experiences. These benefit solutions have the potential to increase both attraction and preservation of quality talent.

Tailor-made Employee Benefits for the Millennials

Millennials seek a continuous integration of work and life. Globally, the best places to work are those that think beyond the health and life insurance, to retirement benefits, hobby-based holidays and paid ‘days off’ in addition to the financial perks and privileges. With freedom and flexibility being crucial, offering them in the benefits solutions, and personalizing them can make a noticeable difference. Instead of a one size fits all, designing the package with personal elements will motivate the millennial better.

What Millennials really want?

Millennials are a generation of confident and hardworking individuals prospering on the freedom to innovate, to create, to experiment and to push boundaries. Not bounded by the traditional methods of the previous generation, millennials don't back out when it comes to taking risks or exploring new ventures. Curbing their agog nature and pushing them into predetermined functions will diminish their passion and enthusiasm. As an alternative, create roles relevant for this new generation. Coach them, mentor them, empower them, and you will see the results for yourself and your organization.

Disclaimer
Shinelearning is the Trade Mark of HT Media and the services associated with it are only provided through the website Shine.com. You are advised to be cautious of calls/emails asking for payment from other web sites that claim to offer similar services under the name of learning.shine.com. We have no associates or agents other than the partner sites that have been specifically named on the homepage of the website learning.shine.com Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the Site is/are the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and are not subscribed to by this Site. HT Media neither endorses nor offers any judgement or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability for the authenticity/availability of any of the goods/services/or for any damage, loss or harm, direct or consequential or any violation of local or international laws that may be incurred by your visit and/or transaction/s on these sites. We also recommend that you visit Security Guidelines and Terms and Conditions before availing the services.The information mentioned about salary increase is based on the internal research by the experts in the relevant domain in HT Media Limited. The said information is merely illustration of probability in increase and no guarantee is being provided by the company for the same. User agree and undertakes to comply with additional Terms and conditions.